Although it looks promising, it is at the end what we actually concluded in this thread some time ago... if you plug the unit it will turn on. That's not the issue, the issue is integrating this CIC into our cars like OEM. This guy also ended up with the same conclusion at the end...

I don't have any doubt that if I get a CIC pre-coded for an M3 with the same audio options as mine the sucker will work plug 'n play as long as I also have installed the new screen. The issue then is getting at least a CIC pre-coded.

Although it looks promising, it is at the end what we actually concluded in this thread some time ago... if you plug the unit it will turn on. That's not the issue, the issue is integrating this CIC into our cars like OEM. This guy also ended up with the same conclusion at the end...

I don't have any doubt that if I get a CIC pre-coded for an M3 with the same audio options as mine the sucker will work plug 'n play as long as I also have installed the new screen. The issue then is getting at least a CIC pre-coded.

When you say pre-coded , can this be something the dealer can do?
Connect it to their computers and just get it coded?
That simple or much more complicated?

When you say pre-coded , can this be something the dealer can do?
Connect it to their computers and just get it coded?
That simple or much more complicated?

That's something else that I'm trying to find out, if I can get a CIC pre-coded instead of trying to code it thru the car after installation.

Technically it should be very simple if a particular VIN is used as the master frame for pre-coding the CIC before installation, as BMW is using a very detailed VIN/VO database for all their programming.

I have an 08 M5 and really looking to make this upgrade. As of March 2009 the MY 2010 M5s will be in production with the new Idrive. I only have 8k on my 08 and trading it in for an 2010 is going to be WAY more costly then making this upgrade.

We need to collectively write a letter to Bmw and let them know how pissed off we are and that we would like the option of a retrofit.
Especially people like me who bought a 08 M3 ( first model year ) and then suddenly a few months later they introduce a completely brand new system.

1. Programming: there's absolutely no assurance that even installing the components the dealer will be able to make the car software accept a P/N that was never part of its possible list/Vehicle order. This is completely different from retrofitting the iDrive to a non-iDrive car of the same model year.

It has been already proven that an iDrive retrofit is possible, but it has been also proven that it is possible only if the parts retrofitted match an expected Vehicle Order and only if that Vehicle Order can be modified by BMW/dealer itself to accept the new specific parts/features. I just can't see myself paying $160 an hour to a dealer to just experiment in programming these parts without any assurance that they will be successful.

2. Core charges: there is a $1000 core charge ($500 for the computer/HDD, $500 for the screen) in this retrofit/swap. The economy is not well at all to just dump $1000 in this type of charge with no assurance of even working - and again, on top of programming charges. Now, if that core charge somehow get eliminated then we are talking about a total of around $2200 in parts for a swap of a existing iDrive -a complete retrofit in a non-iDrive vehicle will be more than $3500 in brand new parts, plus major labor costs.

With the current sharp drop in prices and too sweet special offers for MY2009 models, $3200-$4500 (including the core charge but not labor costs) can help some in just trade in/sell your current pre-2009 car and get a 2009 with the new iDrive, as long as you are not upside down with your trade.

These two issues simply need to be solved -either by BMW itself with a proper/official swap TSB and by eliminating the core charge or by just somebody else with money and time to burn that performs this swap/retrofit- for me to go ahead and do it. However, definitely I will be doing the new iDrive controller swap as soon as the shifter trim is finally available for ordering from BMW. For some internal reason, no MY2009 shifter trims are available yet to order from any US BMW dealer right now.

Another thing that can help is to just wait until MY2009 iDrive parts are available used, at a considerably lower cost than new (especially the $1500 LCD screen). At the end, that's what I will be doing...

1. Programming: there's absolutely no assurance that even installing the components the dealer will be able to make the car software accept a P/N that was never part of its possible list/Vehicle order. This is completely different from retrofitting the iDrive to a non-iDrive car of the same model year.

It has been already proven that an iDrive retrofit is possible, but it has been also proven that it is possible only if the parts retrofitted match an expected Vehicle Order and only if that Vehicle Order can be modified by BMW/dealer itself to accept the new specific parts/features. I just can't see myself paying $160 an hour to a dealer to just experiment in programming these parts without any assurance that they will be successful.

2. Core charges: there is a $1000 core charge ($500 for the computer/HDD, $500 for the screen) in this retrofit/swap. The economy is not well at all to just dump $1000 in this type of charge with no assurance of even working - and again, on top of programming charges. Now, if that core charge somehow get eliminated then we are talking about a total of around $2200 in parts for a swap of a existing iDrive -a complete retrofit in a non-iDrive vehicle will be more than $3500 in brand new parts, plus major labor costs.

With the current sharp drop in prices and too sweet special offers for MY2009 models, $3200-$4500 (including the core charge but not labor costs) can help some in just trade in/sell your current pre-2009 car and get a 2009 with the new iDrive, as long as you are not upside down with your trade.

These two issues simply need to be solved -either by BMW itself with a proper/official swap TSB and by eliminating the core charge or by just somebody else with money and time to burn that performs this swap/retrofit- for me to go ahead and do it. However, definitely I will be doing the new iDrive controller swap as soon as the shifter trim is finally available for ordering from BMW. For some internal reason, no MY2009 shifter trims are available yet to order from any US BMW dealer right now.

Another thing that can help is to just wait until MY2009 iDrive parts are available used, at a considerably lower cost than new (especially the $1500 LCD screen). At the end, that's what I will be doing...

I have just discovered that I can get the vehicle order details changed, using an Autologic machine and having the setup pre-programmed at source. This theoretically would allow the creation of a 2006MY car 'installed' with a CIC computer and associated hardware, on ISTA 33.1 software (which was released in the UK yesterday). I have almost all the hardware items, just the screen to get hold of, and when I get back to the UK I'll be spending a few days at Autologic to see if we can get it to work... Wish me luck, and will keep you guys posted...

I have just discovered that I can get the vehicle order details changed, using an Autologic machine and having the setup pre-programmed at source. This theoretically would allow the creation of a 2006MY car 'installed' with a CIC computer and associated hardware, on ISTA 33.1 software (which was released in the UK yesterday). I have almost all the hardware items, just the screen to get hold of, and when I get back to the UK I'll be spending a few days at Autologic to see if we can get it to work... Wish me luck, and will keep you guys posted...

Considering that $3200 plus tax can give you all the USA 2009 iDrive parts (screen, screen cable, CIC, controller, shifter trim and glovebox USB harness) in a USA dealer with full 2 years warranty, those 2 Euro parts (screen and CIC only) price on eBay just don't look like a good deal at all...

Just the new Idrive controller for now... I think changing the screen as well may be just too exspensive but the controller is within reach.
Please keep us informed as this develops. The part guys and techs here want to try it but are requiered to work by the book. BMW does not have the retrofit as yet.
Technic I think I can get the center console here if you're willing to dive into this.

Just the new Idrive controller for now... I think changing the screen as well may be just too exspensive but the controller is within reach.
Please keep us informed as this develops. The part guys and techs here want to try it but are requiered to work by the book. BMW does not have the retrofit as yet. Technic I think I can get the center console here if you're willing to dive into this.

If the German price is less than $270 including shipping -the cost here in the USA after discounts- I might get it from you, but I doubt that it is going to be at that price as your tax is 19%.

I'm in no hurry to pay that much anyways... this swap should be as cheap as possible. Thanks!

Just the new Idrive controller for now... I think changing the screen as well may be just too exspensive but the controller is within reach.
Please keep us informed as this develops. The part guys and techs here want to try it but are requiered to work by the book. BMW does not have the retrofit as yet.
Technic I think I can get the center console here if you're willing to dive into this.

The new screen only works with the CIC, it cannot be plugged into the CCC as the video cable is completely different.